Last year was the first year that my step daughter was away for her birthday and that was an odd experience.
We have a cassette of a corny personalised version of "Happy Birthday" sang by Coco The Clown that's been played on every birthday since she was about three (which has been much to her embarrassment since the age of about seven). Last year we rang her up and without a word from us played it down the phone - she burst into tears.

Do you wait until after his birthday before putting Christmas decorations up?
(Cave Duck, Wed 15 Dec 2010, 9:34, 3 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Awwww
I like this!
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 15 Dec 2010, 9:39, Reply)

Awwwwwwww!

( girlinthehole, Wed 15 Dec 2010, 9:41, Reply)

..... and then she said "Stop ruining my life with that fucking stupid tape you complete bastards"

(Cave Duck, Wed 15 Dec 2010, 9:45, Reply)

Hahaha!
I like this too!
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 15 Dec 2010, 9:47, Reply)

Yup. Tree etc will go up this weekend when he returns and can help.

(porkylips looks better as the sun goes down., Wed 15 Dec 2010, 9:57, Reply)

Likewise. I think it's important to keep their birthday as a seperate and special event, though it must be difficult for those born even closer to Christmas than this.

Now that you're a few months down the line, how is retirement shaping up?
(Cave Duck, Wed 15 Dec 2010, 10:00, Reply)

I'm enjoying it so far.
Taking everything at a slower pace, longer to do stuff etc.
However I have discovered how much I bloody hate housework. It can fuck right off.
(porkylips looks better as the sun goes down., Wed 15 Dec 2010, 10:09, Reply)

Good.
Don't be a slave to the house, it only needs to be generally clean.
Washing and ironing are a pain though.
(Cave Duck, Wed 15 Dec 2010, 10:15, Reply)